Frequently Asked Questions

CAAHEP understands that the accreditation process can be lengthy and often times confusing. Therefore, we have compiled a list of commonly asked questions that are intended to help clarify the process. If your question isn’t included in the Frequently Asked Questions below or you need further clarification, please contact CAAHEP at mail@caahep.org.

Our program is interested in seeking accreditation.
What is the process?

To begin the accreditation process, you must first complete a CAAHEP Request for Accreditation Services Form. Once the form is complete, it should be forwarded to the appropriate Committee on Accreditation (CoA). The CoA will then contact your program and forward materials about accreditation fees, the self-study document, and the comprehensive on-site review.

To become accredited a program must successfully complete a CAAHEP Request for Accreditation Services Form, a self-study document and an on-site review. Once a program has successfully completed these steps, the CoA will meet to discuss their findings and, if appropriate, will then forward an accreditation recommendation to the CAAHEP Board of Directors for action. (Click here to go directly to the CAAHEP Request for Accreditation Services Form on the CAAHEP website)

Immediately following the meeting of the CAAHEP Board of Directors (in which your program was presented), a letter will be sent to the president of your institution and copied to both the Dean and the Program Director indicating the outcome of the meeting. If accreditation was awarded, a CAAHEP certificate of accreditation will be included in the program director’s letter. The program’s accreditation status will be noted on the CAAHEP website under Find an Accredited Program.

With the exception of initial accreditation, CAAHEP accreditation does not expire. Initial accreditation is for 3 years or 5 years (the length of time is dependent on the Committee of Accreditation with whom you are working). At the end of the designated timeframe, a program may be awarded continuing accreditation or its initial accreditation may be allowed to expire. Once a program has received continuing accreditation, accreditation remains in place until the CAAHEP Board of Directors votes otherwise. CAAHEP policy does currently require a comprehensive review at least once every 10 years.

The CAAHEP Board of Directors reserves the right to place a program on probation or withdraw accreditation at such time that the program no longer meets CAAHEP Standards and has been appropriately notified.

Completing and submitting the CAAHEP Request for Accreditation Services "triggers" the accreditation process. However, the actual process does not begin until the program has submitted its self-study to and accepted by the appropriate Committee on Accreditation (CoA), all applicable fees have been paid, and a site visit scheduled. It is important to understand that the process varies greatly based on the overall readiness of the program, the quality of the self-study submitted, the availability of site visitors and the schedule of Committee on Accreditation meetings. Although the CAAHEP Board of Directors reviews accreditation recommendations 6 times per year (January, March, May, July, September, and November), many CoAs meet only once or twice during the year.

It is also important to note that requesting accreditation services does not guarantee the eventual accreditation of the program nor is there a guaranteed timeframe for the completion of the accreditation process.

We think we have a good program. How do we know if we are ready for CAAHEP accreditation?

Prior to requestion accreditation services one of the simplest things you can do is to review the CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the profession. The Standards and Guidelines are available on the CAAHEP website, click here to review the Standards and Guidelines documents.

CAAHEP is the largest specialized accreditor of allied health education programs in the United States, representing 26 professions. The Committees on Accreditation (CoA) represent the actual profession and are CAAHEP’s experts in evaluating and working with programs.

Once accredited by CAAHEP, CAAHEP charges an annual institutional fee (currently $450.00). This fee is for the institution and is NOT based on the number of CAAHEP accredited programs an institution has.

However, CAAHEP has partners in the accreditation process, the CoAs. Each of the CoAs has its own set of fees. Generally speaking there is a fee for the request for accreditation services, the on-site review and an annual fee. For specific fee information, you will need to contact the appropriate CoA directly.

Since 2000, CAAHEP has been asking that question of all programs completing the accreditation process. The benefits cited most often are: marketing, outside quality assurance, maintaining curriculum currency and an ability for graduates either to sit for certification/licensure exams and/or obtain employment. You can view the testimonies from program directors who currently have CAAHEP accredited programs here.

If a program doesn’t agree with an accreditation decision is there an Appeals process?

Prior to a Committee on Accreditation submitting an adverse recommendation (probation, withdrawal or withhold of accreditation) to the CAAHEP Board of Directors, the program will receive notification from the Committee on Accreditation. In this notification, the program will be informed of the Committee on Accreditation’s intent as well as the stated deficiencies of the program. The program will be offered the opportunity to request reconsideration of the proposed recommendation prior to the submission of the accreditation recommendation. The request for reconsideration by the program provides an opportunity to submit additional information addressing the stated deficiencies. The Committee on Accreditation may or may not change their recommendation to the CAAHEP Board of Directors upon review of the reconsideration materials.

A recommendation for probation may not be appealed as it is still a status of accreditation. Only recommendations for withhold or withdrawal may be appealed.